Portosystemic Shunt-associated Pulmonary Hypertension Multi-center Prospective Cohort Study

This study aims to establish a multi-center registry cohort of portosystemic shunt-associated pulmonary hypertension, with the goal of clarifying the epidemiology, clinical features, phenotypic classification, response to targeted therapy, and prognostic outcomes in patients with portosystemic shunt-associated pulmonary hypertension.

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Key information

Conditions

Portosystemic Shunt Cardiovascular Diseases Digestive System Diseases Fibrosis Hypertension Hypertension, Portal Hypertension, Pulmonary Liver Diseases Lung Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pulmonary Hypertension Respiratory Tract Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

About this study

Portosystemic shunt-associated pulmonary hypertension is defined as a condition of abnormal pulmonary hemodynamics resulting from congenital or acquired portosystemic shunts. This clinical entity is common and presents with highly heterogeneous hemodynamic profiles, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, post-capillary pulmonary hypertension, and high-output pulmonary hypertension. Currently, no dedicated cohorts exist for this specific population, and targeted clinical data are lacking. Even for portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH), a more extensively studied subtype, previous studies in East Asian populations have primarily relied on small, single-center retrospective cohorts. Therefore, this study aims to establish a multi-center registry cohort of portosystemic shunt-associated pulmonary hypertension, with the goal of clarifying the epidemiology, clinical features, phenotypic classification, response to targeted therapy, and prognostic outcomes, thereby providing an evidence-based foundation for developing tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this population.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age ≥ 18 years.
Diagnosis of Portosystemic Shunts:Imaging evidence suggestive of portosystemic shunts (congenital or acquired) or unequivocal clinical signs of portal hypertension (e.g., splenomegaly, varices).
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH):

Confirmed by Right Heart Catheterization (RHC): mPAP > 20 mmHg; OR
Highly suspected by Echocardiography: Peak TRV > 3.4 m/s or compliant with ESC/ERS guidelines for high probability of PH (Note: RHC is encouraged for all enrolled patients).
Signed informed consent and willingness to strictly adhere to the follow-up schedule.

Exclusion criteria

PH caused by other reasons
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exceeding the Milan criteria.
Active extrahepatic malignancy.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement within the previous month.
Pregnancy or lactation.
Participation in other interventional clinical trials (drug or device) within the last 3 months.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Clinical worsening

Time frame: Up to 24 months

The rate of clinical worsening during the follow-up period, which is a composite endpoint comprising all-cause death, decline in exercise capacity [defined as a ≥15% reduction in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) compared with baseline], deterioration in World Health Organization (WHO) functional class, and non-elective hospitalizations for pulmonary hypertension (due to worsening heart failure or initiation of parenteral prostanoids).

Secondary outcomes

Change from baseline in model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score

Time frame: Baseline, Month 12, and Month 24

The MELD score is a reliable measure of mortality risk in patients with end-stage liver disease, calculated using serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, and the international normalized ratio (INR). The total score ranges from 6 to 40. Higher scores indicate more severe hepatic impairment and worse prognosis in patients with portosystemic shunt-associated pulmonary hypertension. The change in MELD score from baseline will be evaluated at each specified follow-up visit.
Change from baseline in Child-Pugh Score

Time frame: Baseline, Month 12, and Month 24

The Child-Pugh score assesses the severity and prognosis of chronic liver disease based on five clinical measures: total bilirubin, serum albumin, prothrombin time (INR), ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. The total score ranges from 5 to 15, where 5-6 indicates Class A (well-compensated), 7-9 indicates Class B (significant functional compromise), and 10-15 indicates Class C (decompensated). Higher scores represent worse liver function. The change in the total Child-Pugh score from baseline will be reported.
Listing for or receipt of liver transplant or lung transplant

Time frame: Up to 24 months

This measure assesses the time elapsed from study enrollment to the first documented occurrence of a transplant-related event due to the progression of portosystemic shunt-associated pulmonary hypertension. A transplant-related event is strictly defined as either being officially placed on an active waiting list for a liver or lung transplant, or the actual surgical receipt of a liver or lung transplant. The time to whichever event occurs first will be recorded.
Initiation or escalation of oral pulmonary hypertension (PH)-targeted therapy

Time frame: Up to 24 months

This measure assesses the time elapsed from study enrollment to the first documented initiation or escalation of oral targeted therapy for portosystemic shunt-associated pulmonary hypertension. "Initiation or escalation" is strictly defined as the sequential addition of a new class of oral PH-targeted medication. This encompasses the clinical transition from no PH therapy to oral monotherapy, from monotherapy to double combination therapy, or from double to triple combination therapy. Dose increases of pre-existing oral medications are excluded from this definition.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Zhihong Liu, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+86 13269276067

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chinese Pulmonary Vascular Disease Research Group

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2031
Study completion: 2031
First posted: Mar 19, 2026
Registry last updated: Mar 19, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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